Engine starter



May 26, 1936- J. A. CHARTER ET AL ENGINE STARTER Filed Feb. 23, 1932 f m m W52 L @i M kw d A; M m J Patented May 26, 1936 UNHTED STATES PATENT OFFICE ENGINE STARTER Appiication February 23, 1932, Serial No. 594,484

14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to engine starters, and more particularly to starters adapted to be used for automobile engines and the like.

The starter which formsthe subject matter of the present invention is of the general type disclosed in the patents to James A. Charter, Nos. 1,554,623 and 1,682,368, wherein a coiled spring cooperates with a member positioned between the convolutions thereof to effect the automatic engagement and disengagement of a driving pinion with respect to the driven gear of a motor.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a starting device of this general type, in which a new and improved abutment means is incorporated, which serves to limit the degree of longitudinal movement experienced by the driving pinion as it disengages from the driven gear, and to this end we propose to provide means positioned between the convolutions of the coiled spring which is adapted to be engaged by a member driven in response to the rotation experienced by the shaft of the starting motor.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a starting device, as above set forth, in which a novel, coiled spring structure is employed, said structure being connected at one extremity with the engine driving member or pinion and having a section of its convolutions positioned closer together than another section thereof, whereby to provide a suitable abutment means of the type set forth above.

Still another and more specific object of our invention is to provide, in a starter of the type set forth above, a coiled spring structure, one end of which is connected with the driving pinion, and the other end provided with a hook, abutment means being located between the convolutions of said spring which is adapted to be engagedby a tracker or projection mounted upon a drive shaft unit.

Still another object of our invention is to pro vide a starting device with a spring structure which includes a pair of springs, one extending over a substantial portion of a drive shaft unit and providing a spiral way for a tracker or projection carried by said unit, and another spring positioned within the convolutions of the first mentioned spring at one end thereof so as to. provide an abutment or stop for said projection.

A further object of our invention is to provide a simplified and improved means for securing the coiled. spring structure to the engine driving pinion, said means including a hook portion on the spring, which is seated within an L-shaped recess in thepinion.

The foregoing and numerous other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is an elevational view of an engine starting device, which is representative of one embodiment of our invention, the driving pinion thereof being shown disengaged with respect to a fragmentarily disclosed driven gear.

Figure 2 discloses the device of Figure 1 after it has been rotated as a unit substantially degrees from the position shown in Figure 1, in order to disclose the manner in which the shorter abutment spring is secured to the driving pinion.

Figure 3isa similar view disclosing the pinion moved into mesh with the driving gear, and

.Figure 4 is a vertical central sectional view of the device as shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals have. been employed to designate similarparts throughout the various figures, it-will be seen that one embodiment of our invention includes a driving pinion H), which isrotatableand longitudinally shiftable upon a sleeve l2 of a drive shaft unit designated generally. by the numeral I4. This. sleeve I2 is keyed or otherwise secured to a shaft [6 of a starting motor l8. This starting motor may be of any suitable conventional design, and hence is merely indicatedby the dotted lines in Figures 1 to 4 inclusivep 7 When the pinion I0 is moved longitudinally to the right from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, it meshes with a suitable driven gear 20, which in the drawing is shown fragmentarilyfor purposes of illustration. The movement of the pinion [0 into mesh with the gear 20 is accomplished through the agency of a coiled spring structure designated by the numeral 22, and a projection or tracker 24 carried by the sleeve I2.

The specific embodiment of the spring structure 22 disclosed in the drawing includes a pair of coiled springs 26 and 28. One extremity of the spring 26 is provided with a hook portion 30, which interlocks with an L-shaped recess 32 provided" in the pinion [0, Figure 1. The opposite extremity of the spring 26 is also provided with a hook portion 34 which is'adapted to be engaged by the projection or tracker 24 when the parts assume the position shown in Figure 3. Assume, for example, that the starting motor is energized so as to. impart rotation to the shaft IS in a a clockwise direction, as viewed from the left in Figures 1 and 2, and as indicated by the arrow in 'Figure 1.

The sudden movement of the tracker 24 within the space provided between the convolutions of the spring 26 causes the pinion is to move to the right without experiencing rotation. This carries the pinion into mesh with the driven gear 20, and when the spring structure has moved to the right sufficiently to effect the engagement between the tracker 24 and the hook portion 34, a driving connection is established between the starting motor !8 and the driven gear 26.

The gear 20 is now driven through the agency of the starting motor l8 and the elements of the starting device just described. When the motor or engine with which the driven gear 2|] is associated, becomes self-activated, the starting motor I8 is stopped, thereby causing relative rotation between the pinion l0 and the sleeve l2 in such a. direction as to cause the automatic movement of the pinion to the left.

The movement of the pinion H] to the left continues until a terminal 36 of the spring 28 engages the projection 24. It will be noted that this spring 28 is positioned between the convolutions at the right end of the spring 26 and is formed at its opposite terminal with a hook portion 38, which interlocks with an L-shaped recess 40 cor responding with the L-shaped recess 32, which 30 receives the hook portion of the spring 26. These L-shaped recesses 32 and 40 are disposed on opposite sides of the pinion as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. The spring 28 not only forms a positive abutmentmeans for arresting the disengaging movement of the pinion I0, but also provides a slight yielding action to take up any shocks resulting from the engagement of the terminal portion 36 with the projection 24. By having the spring 28 disposed between the convolutions of the spring 26, we preclude the necessity of providing any abutment means positioned externally of the spring structure, and also enable a pinionof extremely simple design to be employed. Heretofore in some instances it has been necessary to provide the pinion with lugs or projections for engaging the tracker 24, and this is entirely obviated by employing means,'such as the spring 28, which is actually positioned within the confines or convolutions of the spring structure. In the drawing we have shown a split ring 42 which serves to prevent the movement of the pinion toward the driven gear, except when the starting motor is activated. This resilient anticreep ring 42 is described and claimed in a copending application, Serial No. 343,718, and is merely disclosed in the present application in order to illustrate a complete practical starting device. 7

From the foregoing it will be apparent that our invention contemplates the provision of a starting device equipped with a new and improved coiled spring structure. It will be clear that by following the teachings of our present invention a spring structure maybe employed in which a section of the convolutions thereof are positioned closer together than the remaining sections. Further, it should also be apparent that the invention discloses the broad idea of employing an abutment, such as the terminal portion 36 of the spring 28 positioned between the spring convolutions, as distinguished from devices heretofore positioned externally of the spring. The L-shaped recess in the pinion provides a very simple and efiective means for securing the hook portion of the springs within the pinion.

Obviously changes in the specific embodiment disclosed in the present application may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, said invention being limited only by the scope of the appended claims. While in the drawing we have shown the spring sections 26 and 28 spaced apart, it should be understood that they may be juxta-positioned in instances where such a structure is desirable. In order to more clearly illustrate the structural characteristics of these springs, we have shown one rather loosely nested within the other.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a

coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving member, a section of the convolutions of said spring structure being positioned closer together than the remaining section thereof, and means rotatable with the unit and positioned between the convolutions of said spring structure for controlling the longitudinal shifting of said spring structure and engine driving member.

2. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving member, a section of the convolutions of said spring structure being positioned closer together than the remaining section thereof, and means rotatable unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving member, means rotatable with the unit and positioned between the convolutions of said spring for controlling the longitudinal shifting of said spring and engine driving member, and abutment means positioned between and within the convolutions of said spring and spaced from one extremity thereof and movable therewith for limiting the longitudinal movement of the spring structure in one direction.

4. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving member, means rotatable with the unit and positioned between the convolutions of said spring structure for controlling the longitudinal shifting of said spring and engine driving member, and a terminal section positioned between and within the convolutions of said spring Structure and spaced from one extremity thereof and movable therewith for limiting the longitudinal movement of the spring structure in one direction.

5. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal. and rotary n'iovement, said member. being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part tosbe driven, a. coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one. extremity with the engine driving member and provided at its opposite extremity with a lateral portion, a section of the convolutions of said spring structure being positioned closer together than the remaining section thereof, and means rotatable with the unit and positioned between the convolutions of said spring structure for controlling the, longitudinal shifting of said spring structure and engine driving memberv and adapted to engage the lateral portion at the extremity of the spring structure.

6. In an engine starting device,'a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving member, and. a projection carried by said drive shaft unit, said coiled spring structure including a spring member adapted to receive the projection between the convolutions thereof and a second spring member coiled within the first member so as to provide an abutment for the projection and thereby limit the longitudinal movement of the engine driving member in a given direction.

'7. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving member, and a projection carried by said drive shaft unit, said coiled spring structure including a spring member adapted to receive the projection between the convolutions thereof and a second spring member coiled within the first member so as to provide an abutment for the projection and thereby limit the longitudinal movement of the engine driving member in a given direction, said second spring member being secured at one extremity to the engine driving member.

8. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said engine driving member being provided with a pcripheral L-shaped recess, a coiled spring structure on said unit having a terminal section interlocked with the-L-shaped recess in said engine driving member, and means rotatable with the unit and positioned between the convolutions of said spring for controlling the longitudinal shifting of the spring and engine driving member.

9. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving member, said spring structure comprising an independent coiled section and a second coiled section positioned between the convolutions of the first mentioned coiled section, said second section having an abutment extremity, means rotatable with the unit and positioned between convolutions of said spring structure for controlling the longitudinal shifting of said spring structure and engine driving member, and means provided at one extremity of said spring structure and adapted to be engaged by said controlling means whereby to render said spring structure operable as a torsional driving element between the drive shaft unit and said engine driving member.

10. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving mem: ber, said spring structure comprising a coiled section and a second independent coiled section positioned between the convolutions of the. first mentioned coiled section, said second section having an abutment extremity, each of said coiled sections having a terminal connected with said engine driving member, means rotatable with the unit and positioned between convolutions of said spring structure for controlling the longitudinal shifting of said spring structure and engine driving member, and means provided at one extremity of said spring structure and adapted to be engaged by said controlling means whereby to render said spring structure operable as a torsional driving element between the drive shaft unit and. said engine driving member.

11. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for. both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven. a coiled spring structure on said unit connected at one extremity with the engine driving member, said spring structure comprising a coiled section and a second independent coiled section positioned between the convolutions of the first mentioned coiled section, said second section having an abutment extremity, each of the sections of said coiled structure having terminals connected with the structure of the engine driving member at diametrically opposite positions and movable as a unit with said driving member, means rotatable with the shaft unit and positioned between convolutions of said spring structure for controlling the longitudinal shifting of said spring structure and engine driving member, and means provided at one extremity of said spring structure and adapted to be engaged by said controlling means whereby to render said spring structure operable as a torsional driving element between the drive shaft unit and said engine driving member.

12. In an engine starting device, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal and rotary movement, said member being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure on said unit connected. at one extremity with the engine driving member, said spring structure comprising a coiled section and a second independent coiled section positioned between the convolutions of the first mentioned coiled section, said second section having an abutment extremity, a portion of at least one of said spring sections at a point spaced from the engine driving member being bent to provide an abutment, means rotatable with the unit and positioned between convolutions of said spring structure for controlling the longitudinal shifting of said spring structure and engine driving member, and means provided at one extremity ofsaid spring structure and adapted to be engaged by said controlling means whereby to render said spring structure operable as a torsional driving element between the drive shaft unit and. said engine driving member.

13. In an engine starter device, a drive shaft unit, a pinion operatively associated with said unit and adapted for longitudinal movement with respect thereto and rotary movement therewith, said pinion being adapted in one shifted position to operatively engage an engine part to be driven and in another shifted position to be disengaged from said engine part to be driven, a coiled spring structure forming a driving connection between said pinion and said drive shaft unit when said pinion meshes with the engine part to be driven, said spring structure comprising a coiled section and asecond independent coiled section positioned between the convolutions of the first coiled section, said second section having an abutment extremity, means rotatable with the drive shaft unit and cooperating with the other elements for controlling the longitudinal shifting of the pinion into and out of engagement with respect to the engine part to be driven, and means provided at one extremity of said spring structure and adapted to be engaged by said controlling means whereby to render said spring structure operable as a torsional driving element between the drive shaft unit and said engine driving member.

14. In an engine starting device of the class described, a drive shaft unit, an engine driving member on said unit for both longitudinal movement and rotary movement, a coiled spring for operatively connecting the drive shaft unit with the engine driving member, one extremity of said coiled spring being provided with a laterally extending portion, and an L-shaped recess being provided in one of the elements associated therewith for receiving the laterally extending portion of said spring.

JAMES A. CHARTER. THOMAS SPACIE. 

